Champion Steven Antuch lived, and died, for speed

FRIENDS and family have paid tribute to "larger than life" speedboat racing champion Steven Antuch, whose body was found yesterday after a boat crash on a Sydney river.

Police recovered Mr Antuch's body about 11.15am during a search of the river involving specialist divers, sonar, police and SES volunteers.

The 28-year-old from Picnic Point and another man were testing repairs on the boat on Tuesday afternoon when something caused the Bullet 1800 fibreglass racing vessel to flip near a boat ramp on the Georges River at Revesby.

Police said it appeared part of the front of the boat snapped off after the craft flipped but were unsure what caused the accident.

"He hasn't collided with anything," a police spokesman said.

"It is unclear if Mr Antuch died during the crash or drowned."

It is understood Mr Antuch, who broke the Hawkesbury River Bridge to Bridge race record in 39 minutes 55 seconds last year and holds multiple records and titles, was not wearing safety gear. His companion in the boat, who was taken to hospital by emergency services after a frantic search to help his mate, returned to the river yesterday to hold a vigil with at least 40 friends and family members, including the dead man's father.

Friends described Mr Antuch as a "larger than life" character who was passionate about motor racing and was always ready to help inexperienced racers.

"Just look around at how many people are here. That tells you all that you need to know about him. He was a champion," a friend said.

Members of Mr Antuch's boat racing club, where he had recently been appointed vice-commodore, said he was a "true gentleman of the sport of boat racing" and was "very serious about safety".

"He was a very responsible young man," commodore of the St George Motor Boat Club, Bob Taylor, said.

"He was only young but I thought so much of him I recommended him for the vice-commodore position."

Mr Taylor said Mr Antuch would race boats at well over 160km/h, but he was "very safety conscious when he's racing".

He said Mr Antuch damaged his boat a few weeks ago and was testing the repairs yesterday.

Police said the section of river where Mr Antuch crashed does not have a speed limit.